Resources

The practice of gifting cigarettes is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and found throughout China regardless of economic or smoking status.1 The gifting of cigarettes, particularly premium brands, is considered both a sign of respect and a status symbol and is particularly common during holidays and other special occasions. The tobacco industry exploits these gift giving holidays, e.g., Spring and Fall Festival, by promoting their brands using festival values, such as, warmth, friendship, and celebration.2 These practices have contributed to the normalization of smoking in China and have be

IGTC had the opportunity to formally submit feedback to the United States federal goverment on one of their drug agency's most pressing current issues. Our extensive involvement in the monitoring and evaluation of flavored tobacco products provided us with a unique vantage point to weigh in on the debate as the FDA considers evidence and arguments related to the safety of flavored tobacco products on the US market.

Every year, on 31 May, WHO and partners mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), highlighting the health and other risks associated with tobacco use, and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

This collection of reports investigates tobacco marketing at points-of-sale (POS) near schools in a total of 15 countries around the world. Numerous studies have demonstrated that exposure to tobacco product advertising and promotion increases the likelihood that youth will start to smoke. Evidence shows that the tobacco industry responds to partial TAPS bans that regulate only certain types of TAPS strategies (such as television or radio) by re-directing their resources to market their brands on poorly regulated channels such as the POS.

In February 2015, the Turkish Ministry of Health released a circular, proposing a ban on the use of tobacco and tobacco products within at least five meters of the entrance to public buildings. We, therefore, assessed the compliance level of outdoor areas of venues in this study. The study was conducted between December 2016 and January 2017 in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir. Researchers observed 44 hospitals and 75 narghile venues for a total of 543 indoor locations and 6673 people observed.

Global cigarette volume sales are declining, but the sales of flavored cigarettes in Latin America are climbing. Flavored cigarettes appeal directly to youth and non-smokers because they mask the harsh taste of tobacco smoke and ease initiation into smoking. This report describes a study that examined cigarette retailers within a radius of 100 -250 meters around schools in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru, and their sale and promotion of flavored cigarettes.

In 2014, the Russian Federation (Russia) implemented comprehensive tobacco control legislation which includes bans on advertising, promotion and retail display of tobacco products. E-cigarettes are not currently regulated in Russia, leaving the country potentially vulnerable to the unregulated availability and marketing of these products.

All countries benefit from protecting their citizens from the harms of tobacco use and reducing its economic toll on national economies. The aim of the Sustainable Development Agenda, and its 17 global goals, is to ensure that "no one is left behind."